Vending-machine.



PATENTED AUG. 27,1907.

a. Human, VENDING MACHINE.

AP'PL'IUAHTION FILED MAR. 3, 1906,

8 SHEETS-SHEET L NU 864,526. PATENTED AUG. 27, 1907;

J. FRITSGHE. VENDING MACHINE.

.l API?LIUAT ION FILED MAR-3,1906.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2 No; 864,526. 4 PATENTED AUG. 27, 1907.

J. PRITSOHE.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION-FILED MAR. 3, mos.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 864,526. PATENTED AUG. 27,1907.

J. FRITSGHE.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3, 1906.

8 SHEBTSSHEET 5.

C- uuvento q No. 864,526. PATENTED AUG. 27, 1907;

3. FRITSGHB;

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLIUATIOH TILED MAR. 3, 1906 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

PATENTED AUG. 27, 1907.

B SHEETS-SHEET 7.

J FRITSCHE VENDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. a, 1906.

No 864,526 PATENTED AUG. 27, 1907 J. FRITSOHE.

VENDING MACHINE.-

- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3,1906.

JOHN FRIT SCHE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VENDING-MACHINE.

No. seesaw.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Aug". 2'2", 1907.

Application filed him-c113, 1903. Serial No. 304,041.

To all whom it may concern:

lle it known lh'at I, Jenn FRITSCHE, a citizen of the United States. residing in the city and county of Philadolphin, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful \"vn(ling-i\lz1chino, of which the following is a specification.

My pr'csmit invention relates to a coin controlled vending sppa ratus in which an article is delivered to a position accessible lothe purchaser and in whichthe weight of the coin is immaterial.

My present invention although specially designed [or the vending of articles of food; is not limited to the vending of the same but may be adapted for other pm poses as well.

shown one form of a machine, as this embodiment best illustrates the principle of my invention, although it in obvious that the principal instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and in the accompanying drawings I have shown one embodiment thereof which I have found in practice to give very good and satisfactory results although it is to he understood that my invention is not limited to this specific arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities. I I

To the above ends my invention consists, broadly, of a novel conistructien of a delivery mechanism in which 1 is employed a novel construction of a stop mechanism, novel means ior'caueing the rotation of the sprocket wheel shafts, anovel 'con'stmction 'ofi braking mechanr ism, novel means iorequalizing the'counterhahmce of the carrying device, novel means for causing the carry ing members to travel on one side of the machine in a substantially horizontal plane and on the other side of the machine inga plane inclined to the horizohtal; a novel construction. of stop mechanism for the main sprocket wheel shalt, all 0t said means co-acting at the proper tir'n'o to produce the desir d result.

ing m emb rfl api'ocketchaius.

novel maniier of securing the I to co-act with the ends of the carrying memhers on the in: to which they are secured, whereby the plates are caused to assume a substantially horizontal 4 position when moving on the front side of the machine, an'daposition inclined to the horizontal when they are moving on the opposite or rear side of the machine.

It further consisted a. novel manner of automatically For the purpo sooi illustrating my invention I have" It further consists of a novel construction of braking 'It iurtlierconsistu of a novel construction of a paw removing an equalizing weight as the articles are resprocket chain for preventingthe actuating of the device by a minor coins when the machine is empty.

It further consists oi novel means for preventing the entrance of a. coin to the coin wheel whenever the stop mechanism mounted on the upper shaft is actuated.

It further consists of a novel construction oi a. cooling device which may be employed and through which the carrying mechanism travels. I

It further consists of anovel construction oi counterbalancing and equalizing weights. I

It further consists of novel means for adjusting the tension of the braking mechanism.

'It further consists of other novel features (if construe tion, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a vending machine embodying my invention, having the outer I casing and certain parts thereof removed for the sake of :clcarness of illustration. Fig. 2 represents a rear elevation of 1. "Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of .Fig. '11 Fig. 4 represents a sectional elevation of a port'ion of the machine. Fig. 5 represents a side elevation of'a portion of the braking mechanism. Fig. 6 represents a sectional elevation of a portion of the machine showing the coin slots and the manner in which thecoina pass to and from the coin wheel. Fig. 7 represents a perspective view of a portion of the machine. Fig. 8 represents a perspective View, on an enlarged scale, of the coin wheel. Fig. 9 represents a sectional view of the coin wheel and the stop therefor in operative posi tion with respect there to. "Fig.- 10 represents a sectionalview of a portion of the coin wheel but showing I the stop therefor as being out of engagement with said wheel. Fig. 11 represents a section on line air-4:, Fig; 12 showing the mannerin which the inclined slot in the coin wheel is adapted to receive and be operated'by a single coin. Fig. 12 represents a sectional view on line yew, Fig. 1 1.. Fig. 13 represents a side elevation of a portion of the carrying mechanism. Fig. 14 represents, on an enlarged scale, a sectional view of a portion of thc machine. showing the manner in which the carrier plates are guided. Fig. 15 represents a sectional'view similar to Fig. 14, showing the parts in a different role tion tomch 0th r and the manner in which theposition of urea onion hanged. Fig. 16 represents a pcrspcm tive view of a cooling device which may be employed. Fig. 17 represents, in side elevation, a portion of the sprocket. guide showing the manner in which the carrying members are guided therein .andinovel means for reducing the liiction thercagainst. Fig. 18 represents a front elevation of the sprocket chain and certain of its bottom of the plate 13.

adjuncts. Fig. 19 repre ents a perspective view of a portioirot' Fig. 18 showing the block carried by the sprocket chain. Fig. Qt'lu'epresents a perspective view of one of the weights in detached position showing the manner in which the sprocket. chain is secured thereto. Fig. 2t represents a plan view, partly in section, of a portion of the plate and certain of its adjuncts showing the manner in which the same is see *d to the sprocket chain. 1 Fig. .32 represents a sectional view of a portion of Fig. 19 and a member co-acting therewith. -Fig. 23 represents a perspective view of one of the weights employed. Fig. 24 represents a plan view of a portion of a weight showing in addition, a portion of the sprocket guide in section.

Similar nuinen s of reference indicate corresponding parts in the iigures I Referring to the drawings ct'erring lirst to Figs. 6 and? I will describe the coin chute and its adjuncts.

l. designates crossrods or cross-lyars ol the frame to which is secured a iror plate or czising member 2, by means oi screws or equivalent devices 3.

4 designates slots or openings in the cover 2 through which the coins are passed by the intending purchaser.

5 designates a coin chute or slot into which the coin passes from the slot 4, said coin chute having secured thereto a bracket or angle arm 6, which is suitably fastened to the plate 2 by means of screws or equivalent devices 7.

The coin chute o cdinprises a stationary member 8 to which the arms 9 are secured, said arms extending transversely across the top of the member 8 and having at their outer ends lugs l() to whicltarc pivoted by means of pins ll, the blocks 12 to which the plate 13 is suitably secured, said plate forming the other niembcrol' thocoin chute. 'lheplate l3 pivoted with respect to the plate 8 in such a manner that its own weight. will cause it to move outwardly from the plate 8 and assume an open position.

l4 designates lugs i-xtending downwardly from the The plate 8 is recessed on the side contiguous the plate 13 and has near its upper edge a longitudinally extending groove l5 which forms 21 depending lip or flange iii. The inner lace 17 of the plate 8 forms a substantially plane surface which has at its lower end an inwardly inclined or beveled face 18.

22 designates an adjustable slop carri d by thcplate 'l 21S designates a plate or bracket suitably secured to the. slotted member s and having a depending arm in which is iulcrumed a lever 25, one end of said lever being suitably detlcctcd and having pivoted at its end a. rod or pin 26 which is adapted to pass through an aperture in the lixcd member 8 so as to serve as a stop [or lhecoin when the machine is being lillcd.

2S desigi'iatcs a. spring which, as best seen in big. ti, is secured at one end to the pivoted member Hi. the other end of said spring being tree, and surrounded by or engaging a stop 29 which is riveted to the plate 12% or other 'c secured thereto.

Jo (lt-. ltfli:il a rod having at its outer end a suitable handle IH, said rod extending through an aperture in the plate 2, and having a shoulder 32 between which and the removable end 33 of the casing 34 is interposed a spring 35. The casing 34 is secured to the plate 2 in any desired manner, and in the present instance I have shown the cap or end 32) as having threaded engagement with the end of the casing 34.

36 designates a cross-bar or plate which is suitably secured to the end of the rod 30, said bar Ilti being also connected with the rods 37 which oreguided in the sleeves 38, having the flanges flfi'whereby thesamciuay be readily secured inany desired manner to the plat c 2. The ends of the rods 37 are beveled as at 40, die purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

41 desingates bars or plates carried by the cross-bar 36, said bars 41 having secured thereto the rods or standards 42 which are provided at their upper end with rollers 43 which are preterably removably secured thereto.

44 designates a return chute having its sides =15 dcilected upwardly and outwardly, said chute being l0 :ated directly under the coin chute 5 and being suitably secured to the front plate 2,'the. bottom wall of said chute 44 inclining downwardly towards the plate 2 so that when the coin falls therein it will be guided downwardly and pass through the slot or opening in the plate 2 and be received in the groove or !'l')('t bracket or receiver 48, which is screwed, riveted or otherwise secured to the plate 2.

I The operation of the coin thus far will be readily understood and is as follows:-lho coin, if it has the proper dimensions, is placed by the intending purchaser in the slot 1 and since the pivoted member ll. of the. coin chute 5 is normally in operative position with respect to the member 8 by means ot'fthe roller 43 engaging the spring 28, a substantially straight slot will be formed and the coin will pass directly through the slot formed between the members 8 and 13, in the manner shown in Figs. (i and 7. if a: coin has been stopped in the slot by its engagement with the stop rod or pin 22, the same will [all into the inclined slum/44 and be returned to the receiver -18. as seen in Figs. (3 and 7, when the rods 37 move inwardly, since the roller 43 will lhen move along the inclined face of the spring :38 and thus permit the plate 13 to move outwardly a my from the member 8, this action, as already explained, being due to the manner i -which the plate 13 is pivoled with respect tothe plate 8.

49 designates aplate at the top of the machine w ich is secured to the crossrods or bar liind to the standards or uprights 50. i t

51 designates a bracket, carried by the lop plate or member 49, and having secured thereto by means of a plate. 52 a guide funnel 53,

broken away so that the coin chute 5 may extend thereinto, the lower end oi said tunnel 53 being pressed the upper ond 54 of which is.

of the senses The coin cheek-62 designates a coin wheel mounted on the shaft 59.

63 designates angularly inclined slots in the coin wheel 62, the depth of these slots varying according to the number of coins which it is desired to employ in operating the machine,' said wheel'having a disk 64 screwed or otherwise secured to one side thereof, whereby the coins which are led to the coin wheel may pass therefrom on one side only of said coin wheel. The upper edges of these slots are beveled in order that the coins will the more readily enter therein. The side opposite the disk 64 has inclined grooves 65 which terminate at the angular] y inclined slots 63. In the present instance l'have shown the coin wheels as having angularly inclined slots 63 adapted to receive and be actuated by two coins, although the number of coins which. it is necessary to employ to actuate the machine may be varied, as desired, by varying the depth of the angularly inclined slots 63 of the coin wheel. In order to prevent the lower coin from immediately escaping from the slot 63 I employ a stationary guard 66 which is carried by the journal casing 58. The depth-oi the slots 63 may be varied as seen in Figs. 23 and 24 by inserting therein a plate'67 by means 'andconditions of the case.

69 designates a standard, best seen in Fig. 2, the upper end of which has journals 70, in which are mounted the rods or shaft 71, said shafts being also mounted in journals 72 carried by one of the standards 57.

73 designates a pawl fixed on the shaft 71 and adapted to move in the groove or recess 65 of the coin wheel 62 and engage the shoulder 74 formed by said slot and said recess, as best seen in Fig. 9. This shaft 71 is held in suitable relation to its bearing'by means of a set collar 75 secured thereon in proximity to the hearing or journal 72.

7 6 designates a collar or block fixed on the shaft 71 and having an outwardly extending rod or arm 77 to whichis secured a spring 78, the other end of said spring being secured to the supporting plate 56, whereby the pawl 73 fixed on the shaft 71 normally tends to engage the recess 65 in the coin wheel 62. The outer periphery of the coin wheel 62 is annular-1y recessed as soon at 79, in order that the actuating' rod 37 may work therein withoutv engaging the coin wheel and thus the distance between the end 55 of the coin chute and the coin wheel is lessened and said chute may be located nearer to the periphery of the coin wheel than would otherwise be the case if said annular recess or groove were omitted.

As seen in Fig. 6, the supporting plate 56 has a suitable aperture therethrough through which passes a coin vchute 80, the upper end of said chute being'funnelshaped and cut away, as soon at 81, in order that the come falling from the coin wheel will fall therein and descend therethrough int a coin receptacle 82, as seen coin slot 4 in the front plate 2 passes through the coin chute 5 and drops into the funnel-shaped chute 53, thence through the guiding passage or channel 55 at the lower end thereof, and falls into one of the angularly inclined slots (53 oi the coin wheel 62, the first coin being, prevented from escaping thorefromby reason of its contact with the guard 66. The secdnd coin enters tha the upper coin and cause said coin to press the stop pawl '73 attire coin wheel out of engagement with the shoulder 7-5- and since there is always a tension tending 'torotate the-shalt 59, as soon'zis the pawl 73 is disengaged from the coin wheel, said shalt will turn and as the coin wheel is lined thereon, said coin wheel will rotate in unison with the shaft until the stop pawl 73 engages another shoulder 74 of the coin wheel. The coins in the angularly inclined slot 63 will be carried downwardly and as said coin containing slot passes beyond or below the guard 66 the two coins will fall into the coin chute 80 and descend into the coin receiver 82.

.lournaled in the bracket 51 and in hangers 84 carried by the top plate 49 or by the standards which form the frame of the macl1ine,is a shaft 85 having fixedly mounted thereon the sprocket whecls'fifl around which ,pass the sprocket chains 87, said chains also engaging with the sprocket Wheels 88 mounted on the shaft 59 on which the coinwheels are also mounted.

89 designates a carrying bar having the upwardly deflected ends. 90, said. bar having screwed thereto or otherwise mounted thereon a carrying shelf or member 91. v i v 92 designates a pivot pin, or rod, secured in position by means of a cotter pin or equivalent device 93, said pivot pin 92 having secured thereto at its inner end a polygonal shaped block 34 to which one end of the bar 89; is secured by any suitable means, such as pins or rivets 95. l l

96 designates balls located in recesses 97 formed beend in any suitable manner to the framework of the machine.

The upper ends of the sprocket guides 99 have secured thereto a bar or support 100 which is secured at its upper end to' the top plate 49 by any suitable means, I such as the screws 101 so that the sprocket guidcs, which in the present instance are four in number, are rigidly securcd in place. The upper ends of the outer walls of the sprocket chain guides 100 are rounded so that the sides of the block 94 and the end of the bar d9 will be guided thereby, it being understood that the'slielves 91 and the bars 89 to which th oy are secured are pivotally supported on the sprocket chain so that as 0. carrying shelf is carried upwardly when it reaches the curved .iipper end of the sprocket chain guide it will appear, as seen in Fig. 14.

102 designates a block or bracket suitably secured to the top plate 49 and engaging the outer wall 98 of the sprocket guide 99 said casing having a suitable aperture 103 tlierethrough in which is mounted a rod -1 which carries at its lower end a stud or pawl 105, the-rotation of which is prevented by its engagement with a recess 106 in said block 102. This stud or pawl is normally in the position seen in Fig. 14, the weight of said stud causing it to be maintained in its ltnvermost position as seen in said figure and the downward movement thereof being limited by a suitable pin or equivalent device 107. -The outer wall 98 of the guard 99 is dofiected or bent upwardly. as seen at 108 so as to permit the polygonal-shuped block to be turned or partially rotated by the pawl 105 which extends through this upwardly extending portion 103. The end links on the sprocket chains 87 are pivoted to lugs 11)!) extending from the lowermost eountorl)alancing weight 83. said weight. having portions thereof cut a\vay,,as seen at 110 and provided with the grooves or recesses 111 so that the walls 98 ot the sprocket chain guide 951 may extend therein, as seen in Fig. 24 Supported on this bottom weight '83 are a plurality of couiiterbalancing weights which I have alsodesignatod 83.

112 designates oqnalizing'weights having the projecting sides 113 and a centrally extending lug 114 between which and the sides 113 are the slots or recesses 115 in order that these eonnterbalaneing weights will not iiiterlere with the spr -rket chain or the sprocket. chain guide as will be readily apparent from tl e drawings.

The number of weights 112 employed will depend upon the number of plates 91 which are carried by ilitg sprocket chainv In order to equalize the weight curried by tho sprocket chain so that when the articles on the carrier inembers t l are removed a weight substantially the same will be removed from the equalizing or counterlialancing device. [employ a series of \ieights 1 1t 117, 11H. 11?) and 120. the number of these weights depend ing upon the amount of the friction-o1 the carrying mechanism and the coin actuating means therefor. Since in the present instance have shown as seen in Fig. .1. only live stops. lhave deemed it unnecessary to designate with separate numerals all of the equalizing \VI g ts'which lhin'e shown. it being app-art nt that the number of equalizing weights employed would depend upon the conditions and requirement In order to provide l'or the automatic removal ot' a weight. 1 provide for each equalizing weight. separate stops with which said \\'cights engage and whereby they are autoinat.i .-ally removed from the equalizing and counterdmlaucing means.

I21 designates stops suitably secured to the guides 99 by means of screws or etpiivalent devices 122. said stops extending transversely oi the guides 87 so that they are in the path of the top weight. lit v whereby when the article carried by tho first plate 91 is removed said weight 116 will engage tho stops 1:31 and rest thereupon, it being understood that the stops 121 extend transversely to such a degree that they will be in the path of only the top weight 1111.

123 designates stops secured to the gnide 87 by the r rows or equivalent devices 124, said stops being in the path of the second weight 1.17, whereby when one or more plates 91, have had the article or articles carried thereby removed therefrom, the second weight 117 will he removed separate by the stops 123.

125. 126 and 127 designate stops similarly secured to the sprocket chain giiide 87, said stops being so arranged that they will remove only a single weight, the stops removing the weight 11.8, the stops 12G removing the weight 11!) and the stops 127 removing the weight 1130 and so on.

1.28 designates a shoe or block which is pivoted to'thei last link of the sprocket chain 57, the inner wall 129 of which is recessed. as seen at 130, in order that the shoe may approach nearer to the sprocket wheel 88.

The opposite wall 175 of the block 128 has a substantially straight upper edge which co-acts with the inwardly deflected end portion 131 of a. rod 132 movably secured in suitable brackets 133, which latter are attached to the sprocket guide 99 in any suitable manner. As seen in Fig. 3 the guide 99 is slotted or recessed as at 134 in order that the end 131 may extend therethrough and be in the pat-lroi' the side 175 of the shoe 128.

I35 designates a block at the upper end of the rod 132. said block having a slot or recess 136 therein, in which the end of the lever arm 25 is adapted to be seated in order that when the stop 13] is in its lowermost position the stop rod or pin 21; is in such .a position that when a coin ot the proper dimensions isrplaced in the machine it will have a tree passage through the coin slot. unless the stop 13] has been raised by its engagement with the side 175 of the block 128 carried by the sprocket chain. 7

137 designates a tloxible connection connected atone. end to one. of the bottom weights 83 and at its free end to the bar SE) of the lowermost carrying plate 91, said connection being preferably flexible and passing around rollers 138 and 139 which are suitably pivoted near the inundation oi the machine in a special bracket therefor or to the guides or supporting standards of the machine. Tile bruising .mcchdnism.:140 designates a braking wheel or block fixed on the shaft 85, said wheel having an annular groove 1,41 thereon in which is seated at metallic band or flat spring .142, one end of said spring being secured to a stud orpin 143 whichis iastenedto the stationary bracket 51, carried by the top plate, 49,--the other end of said band being secured in any suitable manner to a block 144 having an aperture 145 therethrough into which one end 1415 of a lever 147 extends, said block being adjustably secured with respect to said lever by means of aset screw 148 extending through said block and engaging said lover. The lower end 01' the lever 147 is forked or provided with two depending arms 1-11) as seen in l'ig. 5. These depending arms 149 are provided with longitudinally extending slots 150 in which th rod or axle 151 is adapted to move, said rod having mounted thereon a roller 152.

"153 designates a (am or wiper wheel having a plurality oi cams 154 thereon which are adapted to co-aet with the roller 152 to actuate the braking mechanism. the number of said cams 154 depending upon the number of operative coin luts in the coin wheel.

- Each of the cams 154 is provided on one side with a cam face 155 andon the opposite side witha cam face 156, it being understood as seen in Fig. 2. that the docarried will permit the cam wheel 153 to rotate there between. I I

Stop'mcchams'mfor the upper sprocket wheel and brake shaft--15? designates a ratchet wheel mounted on the shaft 85 and with which a pawl 158 is adapted to cu-act, said pawl being pivoted at 159 to a stud or hip; 160 carried by the bracket 51. i

.161 designates a rod or arm extending rcarwardly from the pawl 158. The pawl 158 is pivoted at such a point that its own weight will cause it to engage with the ratchet wheel 157, and thus prevent the improper rotation of the shaft 85.

' 162 designates a rod the upper end of which is guided in a bearing 163 secured to the top plate 4 said rod passing through the supporting plate 56, the downward movement of said rod being limited by means 01' a not collar 164 secured thereto above the plate 56.

165i designates a collar mounted on the rod 162 by means of a threaded pin 166, said pin extending transversely oi said rod to such an extent that it will engage r62 1. used.

167 designates a set collar or block adjusiably mounted on the rod 162, said block having extending therefrom a stud or lug 168, said block being adjustably mounted on the rod 162 in such amanncr that when Lhtilltld 162 is raised the lug 16S extending from the block'hfl will engage the arm or rod 77 and thereby rock the shaft 71 and cause the pawl 73 to be removed ironr its engagement with a shoulder 74.01 the coin wheel 62.

169 d -signatcsa sot collar or block adjustably nioun ted on the rod 162,.said block having extending therefrom, an arm or rod 179 which extends under the lever which controls the coin chute 5 so that when the rod 162 is raised the arm 170 will engage the lover 25 and cause the pin'26 to be moved into the path of a coin passing lhrongh the coin chute 5 and thereby stop the coin so that when the handle 3l is actuated the coin will be returned to the intending purchaser. In practice the portion of the casing in front of the carrying mechanism is preferably constructed of glass or other transparent material in order that the goods or various articles of food, such as pies, sandwiches or the like carried thcrcbymay be clearly seen by the intending purchaser. g

In some cases it is desirable to employ in machines articles such. as ices or ice cream, which must he kept in a cool condition in order to prevent their melting.

In order to overcome the defect which has been present in all of the prior machines With which I am acquainted, I employ an outer casing or box 171. which is provided with a snitablcilining 172 there being also an internal casing 173 which closely engages the sprocket chaingnidos 9i) and the walls 98 thereof, it thus being seen that the shelves or plates 91,'on whidh the material is placed which it is desired to keep at a desired cool temperature, pass through the inner casing 173. The chamber 174 between the inner and outer casing may be filled or packed with any suitable cooling n'iutcrial such as ice or a brine may be employed such as is well known in the art.

,lhe'opciation oi the complete machine maynow be 1(ll(llly Lilltltllfliflllll audio as iol1ows:.'lhe intending the rod 361 connected with the pawl 158, when the rod purchaser places one or more coins in the slot 4 at the front oi the machine aud ii the coins are unmutilated and oithef gozopehdiiheneiona. the coin will reston the V-shaped bottom of the slot formed between the members gand 13 of the cdin chute 5 and will pass therethrough into the hopper or funnel 53 and thence to the lower flattened end 55 thereof. The coin will be guided in such a manner that it will all from the passage 55'into one of the angular inclined slots 63 of the coin wheel 62, the depth of said slots varying according to the number of coins which itis desired to employ. In the present instance the coin wheel is adapted to be actuated by two coins. The lower coin is prevented from escaping from the slot in which it has lallen by means of the stationary guard 66 the upper coin being prevented from escaping from said slot by its engage-- ment with the stop pawl 73, which, as seen in Fig. 9, rests against the shoulder 74 of the coin wheel. 62 and closes the upper portion of the slot (53 in said wheel. The intending purchaser now presses on the handle 31 so as tomove the same forwardly towards the machine. The beveled end 40 of one or. thoplungere 37 will engage the upper coin in the slot and cause the same to move'ontwardly and engage the pawl 73 and thus move said pawl 73 out of engagement with the shoulder 74, it being noted that the end of the pawl 73 with which the coin engages is faced off or beveled so as to close in a very positive manner the upper end of the slot 63. The shaft 71 on which the pawl 73 is mounted is positively rotated or rocked against the tension of the spring 78 which tends to rock the shaft 71 in such a manner that the pawl 73 engages with a shoulder 74 of the coin-wheel 62. As soon as this pawl 73 is removed from its engage ment with a shoulder 74 the counterbalancing weights 83 will cause the sprocket chains 87 to rotate the shafts 85 and 59 in such a manner that the shelves or carrying members 5)]. will be raised and the counterbalancing weights and equalizing weights will be lowered, thus bringing a shelf 91 in proper position with respect to the delivery opening (not shown) in order that the article carried by said shell may be readily removed by the purchaser. As the coin wheel and the shalton which it is mounted rotate, the. ("Iii-WllGGl will be rotated therewith, in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. The operative cam faces 156 co-acting with the roller 152 will cause the depending arms 149 to mov outwardly, the weight of the roller causing the some, at this time, to be seated a the lower end of tho slots 150 in the depending arms 1.45) so that the lever 1.47 which is pivoted at a suitable point to the bracket or support 'il, Willbe turned on said pivot as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and the band M2 will more tightly engage ihe annular groove 141. in" the brake wheel 140 which is fixed to the shaft 85, it. being seen that owing to the construction of this cam face 156 the braking action gra iuall y increases and then gradually decreases until a shoulder 74 on. the coin wheel 62 is in proximity to the stop pawl 73 at which time the roller 152 will move down the incline face 15550 that the tension of the brake will be removed at substantially the same time, or a little before, the stop pawl 73 engages with the shoul-' der 74. ("he depending arms 149 are slotted in order to permit the camshait to rotate in the opposite direclion, it being seen that ii "the cam shalt 59 is rotating in the opposite direction. tho roller 1.52 will be raised by its sides 98 of said guide.

engagement wi h the cam face'155 and if it were not for 'will be removed from thecounterbalancing device so that immaterial of the'number of articles which have been removed from the shelves 9i the machine will be equally'counterbalanced at all times in proportion to the weight. which plates 91, although it is apparent that in some cases where a large number of carrying members are employed an equalizing weight would be removed only after a plurality of irrying members had had the arti cles carried thereby removed therefrom; As the coin wheel rotates it is to be understood that the coins contained in a slot will be carried around therewith and after the coin containing slot passes the stationary guard. 66 owing to the inclination of the slots the coins will fall therefrom into the coin chute therebeneath and thence into the coin receptacle 82.

Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15 it will be apparent that tliepolygonal shaped block which is formed by the end of the bar 89 and the block 94 will be guided be tween the sides 98 of th sprocket chain guide 99 so that as the sprocket chain carries the said" blocks around the sprocket wheel they will be guided by the outer wall or its adjunctsto assume a position such as is seen in Fig. 14, the top plate 49 being suitably recessed or deflected at this point if desired, so as to permit the passage of the members 91. The depending end 105 of the plunger 104 is in the path of this polygonal shaped block so that the plunger engages a side of the same and causes the block to rotate a quarter turn, as seen in Fig. 15, the ends 1080f the outer wall or side 98 of the guide being upwardly deflected so as to permit the partial rotation of this block. The plates or shelves are raised in substantially a horizontal position, but as soon as the article or articles carried thereby have been removed and the carrying member passes the pawl 105the polygonal blocks will be turned on their pivots so that as said plates descend on the opposite side of themachine they will travel in a plane inclined to the horizontal and in the present instance they assume a substantially vertical position. This causes the carrying mechanism to take up much less space than if the carrying shelves ascended and descended in a substantially horizontal position. This feature reduces materially the width of the machine which it is necessary to employ. This is a marked advantage in cases where it is essential to economize the space as in places in whichthe machines must be placed which it is necessary to employ for the vending ma chines is materially reduced. It is, of course, to be understood that the pawl 105 may be omitted when desired, in which case the shelves will travel on both sides of the machine in substantially the same plane.

In order to cause the return of a'coin to the purchaser when it is placed in the machine and the machine is empty, I employ on the sprocket chain 86 a shoe or block 128 having a side 175 which is adapted to engage the end 131 of the rod 132 and owing to the recess 134 in is carried by the different shelves or I plate secured This will cause each plate and the carrying shelves are being which are supported upon tliedifferent stops which it back to back and the amount of space the wall 98 of the sprocket chain guide 99 as the block 128 travels upwardly it will raise the rod 132 and there by the outer end of the lever arm 25 and cause the st op 26 to assume'sucli a. position that if a coin has been placed by the intending purchaser in the coin slot 4 the coin instead of passing through the coin chute 5, will strike said stop 20 so tlliLLWllGll the handle 31 is operated and the roller 43 moves down the in lined face of the spring 28, the pivoted member 13 of the coin chute will move outwardlyfowing to its weight and the manner in which it is suspended, so that the coin orcoins in the coin chute willdropinto the return trough or :chul e and be deposited in the chamber 47 of the receiver 48 as will be apparent from the Figs. 6 and 7.

- In-order to permit the block 128 to approach nearer to the sprocket wheel 86 the side 129 contiguous thereto is recessed. or cut away as seen at 130. I In the present instance I have shown in Fig. 13 the lowerniost weight at one end oftlie sprocket chain and the lowermost at the other end of said chain as being connected by asuitable rod, wire or other conductor in orderth'at the same maybe readily actuated by band when it is desired to place the articles on the different shelves. In order to accomplish this the rod 102 is first raised by any suitable means, thus raising therewith the block 108 and the stud or lug extendi ng from said block will engage tlie rod 7 carried by the block 76 which is mounted on the rod 71 and cause the said rod to be rocked so that the stop, pawl 73 will be removed from its engagement with the shoulder 74 of the coin. wheel 62, it being understood that during this operation the operator grasps the flexible connection'137 in order that any improper movement of the carrying mechanism and its adjuncts will be prevented. At substantially the same time the rod 166 carried by the set collar 165. will raise the arm 161 and cause the pawl 158 to be removed from its engagement with the ratchet wheel 157 so that the plates may be lowered 'as the sprocket chain is being actuatedin order that the shelves may assume their initial position.

It will be seen that as the carrying shelves pass the depending pawl 105 one of the sides of the polygonal shaped block at the end of the bar 89 will engage said pawl and after passing said pawl the carrying member will assume the position as seen in Fig. 14 so that as the same moves downwardly it will be guided in the sprocket chain guide or guard arid will assume its initial substantially horizontal position. At the same time as lowered the weights is understood have been removed by the stops therefor, will be removed from their respective stops so that the 'counterhalancing and equalizing weights will assume their initial position, as seen in Fig. 2.

Simultaneously with the raising of the rod 102, the arm 170 will be raised and as this arm is located so as to engage the lever'25, said-lever will be turned upon ils pivotal point and the stop 26 will be moved inwardly into such a position that ii the intending purchaser places a coin in the slot whilethe rod lG2 is raised and the machine is being filled the stop 20 in the coin slot will absolutely prevent any coin from entering them win wheel but said coin will be retained in said slot and when the handle 31 is ac! iiaied the pivoted member of the coin slot or clinic will move outwardly and the coin will drop into the return chute 44 and descend into'the receptacle 48 so that the intending purchaser will have returned to him in a very positive manner the coin It will be apparent that owing to the stop rod or pin 26 and the manner of actuating the some that it; will be impossible for an intending purch user to place a coin in theinachinelwheu the some is empty or is lieing filled without said coin being returned to the outside of the casing of the vending machine to a position. accessible to the intending purchaser.

It will be apparent that the coin wheel will be reloosed only by the engagement of a coin with the stop mechanism for eai d Wheel and that when the coin wheel has been released the speed of the sprocket chain and theshclves thereon will be checked as desired, by the braking mechanism. The coin Wheel may be constructed with any desired numberoi slots 63 thorein. the number of which would vary according to the num ber of shelves which it is desired to employ and the diameter oi the coin wheel.

It will he further apparent that owing to the construction of the shelves and the manner in which they are s r-cured. to the sprocket chain and the noyel means i for turning them a. they pass downwazdly at the roar of the machine, that u very compact machine is produced and that the amount of space which the vending machine occupies is reduced to a minimum.

it will he further apparent; that the materialwhich is held upon the "different shelves maybe kept cool by means of the cooling device through which the shelves Eire adapted. to pass and that a desired temperature in the chamber formed in the internal casing may he nuiintain ed It; is also to be noted that the improper rotation oi the upper. sprocket; wheel shaft is positively prevented by moons of the stop mechanism therefor ztnd improper rotation of the sprocket wheel shaft on which the coin wheel is mounted, is positively prevented. by means of the atop mechanism engaging therewith and the tension of the counterlmlance and cqualiz'ing device. In the present; instance l have shown the equalizing Weights IS adapted to he removed as each carrying shaft comes into a position accessible to the intending" purchaser, but. it is to he llllilk'flFlhOtNl that the stops with "which the separate equalizing Weights (o-act may he so arranged that on equalizing weight will be removed only after the articles curried by several carrying shelves have been wmovcd.

l have deemed it unnecessary in the present instance to show in the drawings the outer casing of the machine since thismay he constructed of any desired material and of any desired contour or form, although that portion which is in front of the carrying mechanism would preferably be of some transparent material in ordor that. the articles which are carried by the carrying mechnn ism may be clearly seen by the intending purchaser.

It will he further apparent that owing to the guards for the sprocketchain the carrying members will be accuretely guided and ii the mechanism for partially rotating them is employed they will be guided in the some accurate and reliable manner after such rotation hes tulcon place.

While I have spoken of the carrying members as moving on one side of the machine in a substantially horizontal plane it is to be understood that. for certain purposes they maybe inclined to the horizontal to a desired extent and still be within the scope of my inventron.

From the above description it will be apparent that I l have produced a novel and useful construction of-n coin controlled vending machine which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as d esimble in the statement of the invention and while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the same it is to be understood that it is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit and ecope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a vending: machine. a plurality of shafts having sprocket wheels thereon. a carrying mechanism mounted on said sprocket wheels. a Make wheel mounted on one of said shafts, a cam wheel mounted on the other of sold shafts. moans intermediate eald wheel and said com for" retarding the rotation of said shafts. and a stop inechnn ism for said carrying mechanism.

:2. In a vending machine. a frame. a plurality of shafts curried thereby. carrying mechanism actuated hy said shafts. u counterbalance for said carrying mechanism. a friction brake mounted on one of said shafts. a cam mounted on the other of snld shafts. means intermediate said brake and said can) for actuating: the former. and means for equalizing the weight of sald counterbalance as an artide is removed from said cm-rylng device.

R. In :1 vending machine. a frame. a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted thereon, carrylng mechanism actuated by said shafts. u connterhulnnc izlng the weight of sold counterbalance as articles are removed from said carrying: mechanism. braking mechanism on one of said shafts. means; mounted on the other of said shafts-for actuating sold braklm. mechanism, and means for controlling the rotation of said shafts.

-l-. In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism. a pin rnliry ot' shafts on which said mechanism is rno unred. a \vhccl mounted on one of said shafts. n flexible friction connection engaging said wheel. one end of said connection being secured to n tlxed portion of the machine. a lever to \vliich the other end of said connection is secured. and menus mounted on The other of suid shafts udnpted to actuate said lever.

3. in a vending machine. a carryingmechanism. a plurality ot'shafts on which the same. is mounted. a stop mechanism for solid slliil'l'h', a friction wheel mounted on one of said shafts, a friction connection engaging the perjp .-ry of said wheel. one 0nd of said connection being so cured to a fixed portion of the frame. :1 lever pivotnlly mounted, a bracket a. one 2cm! thereof to which the other end of said friction counflctlon is secured. a cam wheel mounted on the other ol said shafts. and having a plurality of operative cum fnces tthercon. the other end of said lever having slotted arms depending therefrom. and 11 roller mounted in said slots and (to-wring w ltli sald cam fa es to actuate said i tion connection.

F. In a vending in: hine, a cooling device. :1- cariylng mechanism adopted to travel therethroiuzh. a sectional cminterlmlance for said carrying: mechanism. and means for nutonmtlcully removing one of said sections when said carryingmechanism reaches predetermined positions.

7. In 11 vending machine. a carrying mechanism, a

countcrbalancing dcviec therefor. and means for equaliz.

n: the \vcight of said cl-uilicrbalancing devic'c as an articlc is removed from said carrying dcvicc.

4. in a vending machinc. a car ring mechanism. shelves plvoi'ally carried by said mechanism. a countcrbalancing device th refor. and incans for causing said shelves to more in a substantially horizontal position on one side of the machint and a position inclined to' the horizontal on the opposite side tbcrcol'.

it. In a vending machin a carrying mechanism t0il'l prising a plurality of car \mg nicmbcrs. a counterbalancing dcvicc lhcreot'. moans for equalizing the weight of said countcrbalancing dc cc as the articles are removed from said carrying dcvic and means for nosing said mcmlicl's to travel in substantially a horizontal plane on one side ol the machine and a plane inclined to the horizontal on the opposite side of the machine.

iii. in a vending i nacbinc. a carrying mechanism. a countcrbaiancing device therefor, means for equalizing the weight of said counterbalancing device as articlcs arc removed from said carrying device. and braking means for said ca rying mechanism. ii. in a v nding machine, a shaft. sprocket chains actuated thereby. carrying members, pivoted to said chains. a counterbalance for said members. and means for equalizing thc weight of said conntier-balance when an article is removed from a member.

12. in a vending machine, a. shaft. sprocket chains actuatcd thereby. carrying members pivoted to said chains.

a counterlialancc for said mcmbcrs. means for equalizing the weight otsaid counterbalance when an article is removed froth a mcmbcr. incans't'or causing said members to move in a horizontal planc on onc'side oi' the machine. and means for partially rotating said members to'cause them to travel in a plane inclined to the horizontal on the other side of the machine.

15:. in a vcndingmachine. shafts, sprocket chains actuated rhcrcby. carrying members pivoted to said sprocket chains. guides for said sprocket chains. means for overcoming the friction of said car ying members with respect thereto. and means for causing said mcmbers to move in a substantially horizontal plane on one side of the machine and in a plane inclined to the horizontal on the other side thcrcof.

ii. in a vending machine. a carrying mechanism having a plurality of carrying members, a counterbalance therefor. and means for automatically equalizim. the weight of said counterbalance.as an article is removed from a member.

15.- in a vending machine. a carrying mechanism having a plurality 'of carrying members, a counterbalance therefor. equalizlna weights carried by said counterbalance, and means !'or auiomaticlly removing an equalizing weight. as a carrying ni rtbel' is brought act: 'sible to a purchaser.

16. in a vending machine, a carrying mechanism having a plurality of carrying members, a counterbalance for said moclmnism. a plurality of equalizing weights carried by said countcrbalance. a guard for said carrying mechanism. and separate stops for each guard and with which only their respective weight (fa-acts.

equalizing weight on said 17. in a vending machine. a carrying mechanism. having a plurality ot carrying members. a counterbalance for said mechanism. a plurality of equalizing weights carried by said counterbalance. a guard for said carrying mechanism. scparale stops for each equalizing weight on said guard and with which only their respective weight ciracts. and means for causing. said members to travel in a substanintaiplanc on one side oi the machine and in a is. in a vending machine. a carrying mechanism having a plurality oi carrying members, a counterbalance for said mechanism. a plural of equalizing weights carried by said counterbalance. a guard for said vcarrying mechanism. separate stops for each equalizing weight onsaid guard and with which only their rcspcctirc wcight co-acts. mcans'for causing said nicmbcrsdo travel in a substantially horizontal plane on one sidcaif the machine and in a plane inclined to the horizontal on the other side thereof. and a connection between the last carrying member and said counterbalance. I

prising a plurality of sprocket chains and means for actuating them. carryingmembers pivoted to said chains, each of said members having a polygonal'shaped block at each end contiguous said chains. means engaging said blocks for partially rotating said pivoted members, a counter balance therefor. equalizing weights carried by said countcrlutlancc, and means for automatically removing an equalizing weight as a member reaches a predetermined positionv '21. in a vending machine, a carrying mechanism comprising a plurality of sprocket chains and means for actuating them and carrying members pivoted to said sprocket chains. guards for the latter having their outer sides aperturcd and the portions contiguous the apertures deflected outwardly. and a pawl located in one of said apertures with which the different members engage to'partially' rotate the latter.

In a vending machine, a cnrryingmecbanism having a plurality of carrying members pivoted to sprocket chains. guides for said sprocket chains, a casing havingm passage tlierethrough of larger diameter than said carryin members and surrounding said sprocket chain guides, an outer casing surrounding'said inner casing, and cooling means located between said inner and outer casing.

23. In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism, a counterbalance therefor comprising a plurality of, weights, each of said weights having side arms extending therefrom and a centrallylocated lug, there being grooves between said lug and said side arms, and guides for said carrying mechanism between which said weights are movable.

24 In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism, a

a plurality of means carriedby said guides adapted to coact with different equalizing weights. I

26. In ,a vending machine; it carrying mechanism, a braking mechanism therefor, a counterbalance for said carrying mechhnism, equalizlng weights carried by said counterbalance. guides for said" carrying mechanism, a plurality of means carried by said guides adapted to co-act with different equalizing weights, and; ball bearings carried bysaid carrying mechanism. and co-acting with said guides.

27. In a vending machine, a plurality of shafts, a carrying mechanism actuated thereby, a counterbalance for said carrying mechanism, a brake wheel mounted on one of said shafts, astop mechanism for each of. said shafts, a

wiper wheel mounted on one of said shafts and having a plurality of cams. each of said cams having a pluralitycf cam faces. means co-acting with said lit-Elke \vheeband with one of said cam faces to actuate said braking mechanism and co-acting with theutbet; of said faces to re lease said braking mechanism. I v

28. In a vendingmachinc, a carrying mechanism, a counterbalance therefor, and means for automatically equalizing the weight of said counterbalance.

29. In a vending machine, acarrying mechanism,;a counterbalance therefor, means for equalizing the weight of said counterbalance, and a conductor connected with said carrying mechanism and said counterbalance.

20. In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism, a sec t'ional counterbalance therefor, and means fol automatically removing one of .said'sections for varying loads of said carrying mechanism. I

$61. In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism, a lever actuate. thereby, and means actuated by said lever "for rendering the machine inoperative.

32. In a vending machine, a carrying for said carrying mechanism,. and means for manually releasing said stop mechanism.

34. in a" delivery mechanism for vending machines, a plurality of carrying members, nctuating means therefor, and means for automatically rotating said members to cause them to travel. in different planes on opposite sides of the machine.

35. in a delivery mechanisms plurality of carrying members, pivotally mounted, means for partially rotating said membere as they move. in a difierent direction, and devices for preventing the ro'tntion or said members when not coacting with said means.

36. In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism, a stop mechanism for arresting the movement thereof in one direction, a-second stop mechanismfor arresting the movement thereof in a reverse direction, and means for manually actuating said stop mechanism.

37. In a vendingmachine, a carrying mechanism comprising polygonal shaped blocks, carrying members carried by said blocks, sprocket chains to which said blocks are pivoted, a pawl maintained by gravity in .the path 01 said blocks and coacting therewith to partially rotate the lat ter, means for limiting the movement of said pawl, and devices for causing said blocks planes.

38. In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism comprising polygonal shaped blocks, carrying members carried by said blocks, sprocket chains to which said blocks are pivoted, a pawl maintained by gravity in the path of said blocks and courting therewith to partially rotate the latter, means for limiting the movement of said pawl, means for preventing the rotation of said pawl, and devices for causing said blocks to travel in predetermined planes.

-39. In a vending machine, a carrying mechanism, a

braking mechanism therefor adapted to permit the travel of said carrying mechanism 'in a reverse direction, a counterbalance for said carrying mechanism, and means for equalizing the weight of said counterbalance for varying loads 01 said Carrying mechanism. i

JOHN- FRITSCHE. Witnesses JOHN A Wmnnnsnnm,

HnnBnaT S. Flimminxs.

to travel in predetermined 

